The Allegheny County district attorney will refile charges against a Pittsburgh police officer in connection with an arrest he made during the WPIAL high school football championships at Heinz Field -- a case which is also being reviewed by the FBI.

"Clearly, there's probable cause," District Attorney Stephen Zappala said Thursday, regarding the decision to file charges of simple assault and official oppression against Sgt. Stephen Matakovich.

District Judge Robert Ravenstahl on Monday dismissed the charges at Matakovich's preliminary hearing. The 22-year veteran remains on paid leave while the FBI and the city's Office of Municipal Investigations review the case.

"The DA reviewed and felt there was sufficient evidence to substantiate criminal charges," Police Chief Cameron McLay said Wednesday. "With the facts before me, I supported that decision then, and if they decide to refile, I will support that decision as well."

U.S. Attorney David Hickton, whose office would prosecute any charges filed by the FBI, acknowledged the review of the Matakovich case but declined to make any specific comment.

"The FBI is looking at that, and there would be federal jurisdiction and when that's ready to be talked about, we'll talk about it," Hickton said.

The charges were thrown out after Ravenstahl heard testimony from Matakovich, as well as a city police expert who reviewed the security video and said Matakovich wasn't justified in pushing down and striking 19-year-old Gabriel Despres.

Matakovich was in uniform and working an off-duty security detail at the stadium.

"Based on Sgt. Matakovich's over two decades of experience, he wasn't sure if there was a threat or not, so he was proactive in his actions," Jones said Monday.

Officer David Wright, the city's expert on use of force, testified for the prosecution that Matakovich's response -- which included shoving Despres to the ground and striking him in the face -- "was not reasonable."

Matakovich testified on his own behalf Monday. He left the courthouse without commenting afterward.

“I respect Sgt. Matakovich, I wish him no ill, I wish him nothing but the best. I’m hoping the outcomes will show ultimately that this may have been a mistake rather than misconduct," said McLay, "but it’s premature for me to determine that yet.”

Despres faces a preliminary hearing next month on charges of public drunkenness, underage drinking and defiant trespass.